Everything you need to know about the always-epic MLB Home Run Derby

Though MLB’s All-Star Game dates back to 1933, the first Home Run Derby took place in 1985, inspired by a 1960 TV series naturally named Home Run Derby. Dave Parker won that debut competition with a mere six home runs, a number that likely wouldn’t see him escape the first round nowadays.

• Here’s some more background on how it all works and the magic behind one of the best days on the baseball calendar.

What’s the format?: It’s evolved over the years — sometimes to the dismay of fans — but tonight will feature eight contestants competing across three rounds, the first lasting three minutes or 40 pitches (whichever comes first) followed by the two-minute semifinals and final.

• There’s no head-to-head for the first round — the top four home run hitters will advance. From there, it’s knockout bracket style for rounds two and three, with players re-seeded based on their first-round totals. Every swing counts.

How are players selected?: Derby participation is invite-only, but some top sluggers opt to decline the league’s offer for various reasons, including risk of injury and the ominous Home Run Derby curse. That said, there’s plenty of incentives to participate, the winner's $1M payout chief among them.

Why do people love it so much?: The crack of the bat, the ball momentarily defying gravity to soar through the air, the roar of the crowd — there’s nothing quite like a home run. And the Derby offers that magic on repeat, with contenders putting on jaw-dropping displays of strength and power over and over again. How can you not be romantic about baseball?

Distance traveled, exit velocity, launch angle…there are a lot of numbers that go into blasting a home run. But you don’t need to be a hitting guru to understand these stats — here’s a look at the Derby history, by the numbers.

3: Legendary Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. is the event's only three-time winner, hoisting the trophy in 1994, 1998, and 1999.

3.3: Though tonight’s conditions are optimized for home run hitting with players choosing their pitchers (and sometimes keeping it in the family), when it comes to actual games, dingers make up just 3.3% of all MLB hits. They make it look easy, but it most certainly is not.

91: Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. put up a mind-boggling 91 total home runs during the 2019 edition, including a then-record 40 in a single round, but he still came up short, dropping the final round to Derby icon and NY Met Pete Alonso.

524: Slammin’ Sammy Sosa owns the longest homer in Derby history, blasting a ball a whopping 524 feet during the 2002 edition. That’s nearly 1.5 football fields of distance traveled — talk about touchdown.

🔱 Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners: The aforementioned Big Dumper has taken the league by storm. Raleigh blasted his 38th homer of the season over the weekend, breaking the American League record for most home runs before the All-Star break and putting him just one shy of a little someone named Barry Bonds’ all-time first-half record. Tridents at the ready.

🏛️ James Wood, Washington Nationals: Wood is having a monumental first full season in the nation’s capital, emerging as a potential MVP candidate and garnering legendary treatment at the young age of 22. Wood will be just the third National to compete in the Derby, and the other two both won it all. No pressure.

🏴‍☠️ Oneil Cruz, Pittsburgh Pirates: No wasted pitches here — Cruz puts his all into every single swing, posting the hardest-hit ball since metrics were first tracked: a 122.9 MPH rocket of a home run back in May. Expect some towering blasts from the 6-foot-7 left-handed slugger, who would be the first Pirate to hoist the Home Run Derby trophy.

💚 Brent Rooker, Athletics: A huge bright spot for a franchise in turmoil, Rooker will bring the fun and his 20 homers on the season to Hotlanta. Known for keeping things simple and compact at the dish, he might just have the stamina to swing into the later rounds tonight.

🍑 Matt Olson, Atlanta Braves: The hometown hero, Olson was a late addition in replacement of his teammate, Ronald Acuña Jr., but don’t let his season total of 17 dingers fool you — the first baseman boasts some serious pop. Home-field advantage and experience (this will be his second Derby) certainly make him one to watch.

☀️ Junior Caminero, Tampa Bay Rays: It’s been a whirlwind season for the 22-year-old, who’ll swing in his first Derby one day before starting in his very first All-Star game. And if he can pull off an upset victory, he’d be the youngest player to achieve the feat. This kid is more than alright.

👯 Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins: Georgia’s own, Buxton will have the most adorable support system in his first Derby appearance. The Twins center fielder has been prone to injury throughout his career but is finally healthy, allowing him to put up an impressive 21 homers at the halfway mark.

🍎 Jazz Chisholm Jr., NY Yankees: Sure, he doesn’t lead his team in home runs, but Chisholm, even with his small frame, is as electrifying as they come and is well ahead of pace to surpass his all-time career single-season total. Plus, who doesn't love an underdog?